Search for Blade’s replacement under way

Friday

Jan 25, 2013 at 6:00 AM

The interest in becoming the next Oak Ridge football coach is only in its infancy but just two and half days into the search, that interest has already surpassed the 2009 coaching search that brought coach Scott Blade in.

Robert Holder

The interest in becoming the next Oak Ridge football coach is only in its infancy but just two and half days into the search, that interest has already surpassed the 2009 coaching search that brought coach Scott Blade in.

Athletic director Mike Mullins posted the position on the Oak Ridge schools website, tssaa.org and footballscoop.com this week.

“Wow is a good word,” said Mullins to descibe how many applications he has already received. “I had not idea that we would have that many.”

According to the posting on ortn.edu, candidates should have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, with teaching experience preferred, and a Tennessee teaching license with appropriate endorsement. The coach should also have “strong knowledge of leading one of the state’s top football programs” and while “successful head coaching experience is preferred, consideration will be given to an assistant coach with outstanding potential.”

The wording is the same as it was in 2009. That year, coach Blade took over the Wildcats and guided them to a 7-4 record and a playoff berth after finishing 4-6 the year before.

“We will post the job for two weeks and get the resumes in,” Mullins said. “Once we get the applications in, we’ll get those out to the committee members.”

Mullins said a hiring committee has not been named of yet, but it will be a “small” group.

It will be up to that group to sift through the resumes and decide who merits an interview.

“I don’t know how many we will interview,” Mullins said.

When asked about the details and whether anyone with Oak Ridge ties — past or present —would be considered, Mullins noted it is still to be determined.

“We want to find the coach that is best for Oak Ridge High School. We have not sat down yet and really defined what those intangibles are yet. It will probably be next week until we set those. It is a wide-open process. It’s anybody’s game.”

The one intangible the coach will have to have will certainly be to continue to build on the success and bring out more players.

The Wildcats said goodbye to 23 seniors in 2012. Those seniors went 35-15 with Blade in four years.

If all varsity sophomores and juniors stay on in 2013 and none are picked up, only 34 varsity players would be dressing out on Friday night — not including the freshmen team.

The salary range according to the school system’s website is $36,407-$69,173, plus $6,335-$10,389 supplement.

Coaches can also apply online through the site.

The first day of football practice is July 29. Oak Ridge will begin its season on the road at rival Farragut on Aug. 30.